Albion help their survival case with exciting display

Stirling Albion 0 - 0 Livingston. AS goal-less draws go this wasn't a bad one at all.

A missed penalty, a sending-off and a reasonable number of chances were enough to keep the fans entertained in a match that was always competitive and made for compelling viewing.

Livingston enjoyed the better of the proceedings but failed to make the most of their possession and were oftendenied by Albion goalkeeper Gary Gow. In any case Albion deserved the point for a stubborn and committed showing. A porous defence has contributed to their lowly league position but for the first time under John Philliben they have managed consecutive shut-outs and now, with just one defeat in five games, must be hopeful of avoiding the drop, particularly as results elsewhere aided their cause. Livingston relinquished their position at the top of the table but they can put that right when Inverness visit Almondvale on Saturday. Ray Stewart's side haven't been in the best of form lately as just three wins and nine goals in their past nine games will testify. Albion goalkeeper Gow was named sponsor's man of the match and it was easy to see why. As early as the fourth minute he blocked David Bingham's close- rangeeffort after a good cross from John Robertson. The same pair were involved in the best move of the game on 28 minutes, Bingham slipping a pass through to Charlie King whose clever flick let in Robertson, but he just failed to find the corner of the net from 15-yards. Ten minutes before the break Livvy should have gone ahead. Brian Martin conceded a penalty after handling as Robertson tried to go past him but the former Hearts man saw his weakly-hit spot kick saved by Gow and King sent the rebound wide of target. Albion had their moments too, notably when Philliben's shot was cleared off the line by Ian Little in 14 minutes and late in the second half when both Chris Wood and Alex Bone came close to snatching the winner. Livingston pressed for much of the second half and the introduction ofBrian McPhee and Mark McCormick, the latter of whom produced a stunning save from Gow with his first touch, pepped up the visitors. However, Billy McDonald got a little bit too carried away and was sent off for swinging his arm in the direction of Chris Jackson who himself had only been on the pitch for 60 seconds. No goals perhaps but there was rarely a dull moment at Forthbank.

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